Instant Meaning in English

word

US

/ˈɪnstənt/

IN-stuhnt

UK

/ˈɪnstənt/

IN-stuhnt

Definition

Something instant happens immediately, without delay. As a noun, an instant is a very short moment of time.

Usage & Nuances

Often used before nouns: 'instant reply', 'instant noodles', 'instant coffee'. As an adjective, it suggests no waiting; as a noun, it appears in phrases like 'for an instant' or 'the instant I saw it'. Do not confuse it with 'immediate' in every context: 'instant coffee' is natural, but 'immediate coffee' is not.

• Spanish: instantáneo - momento
• Portuguese (BR): instantâneo - momento
• Portuguese (PT): instantâneo - momento
• Chinese (Simplified): 瞬间 - 即时的
• Chinese (Traditional): 瞬間 - 即時的
• Hindi: क्षण - तुरंत होने वाला
• Arabic: فوري - لحظة
• Bengali: তৎক্ষণাৎ - মুহূর্ত
• Russian: мгновенный - мгновение
• Japanese: 瞬間 - 即席（形容詞として、インスタント）
• Vietnamese: ngay lập tức - chốc lát
• Korean: 즉각적인 - 순간
• Turkish: anlık - ani - hazır (hazır ürünler için)
• Urdu: فوری - لمحہ
• Indonesian: seketika - instan

Example Sentences

I got an instant reply to my message.

basic

For an instant, I thought I knew her.

basic

These are instant noodles, so they cook fast.

basic

The pain wasn't instant — it started a few minutes later.

natural

The instant I saw the photo, I started laughing.

natural

I knew it was a bad idea the instant he said it.

natural